PSG Edge Arsenal 1-0 in First Leg of UEFA Champions League Semi-Final

Arsenal suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, with Ousmane Dembélé striking early in the 4th minute to give PSG the advantage.

Arsenal vs PSG Line-Up

Arsenal's Line-Up:

Raya (GK)
Jurrien Timber
William Saliba
Jakub Kiwior
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Martin Ødegaard (C)
Declan Rice
Mikel Merino
Bukayo Saka
Leandro Trossard
Gabriel Martinelli

PSG's Line-Up:

Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK)
Achraf Hakimi
Marquinhos (C)
Willian Pacho
Nuno Mendes
Vitinha
Joao Neves
Fabian Ruiz
Desire Doue
Ousmane Dembele
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Match Summary

The UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and PSG began at 22:00 EAT (UTC+3) and instantly delivered high drama. Just four minutes into the match, Kvaratskhelia slipped a pass to Ousmane Dembele on the right wing. Dembele struck a low shot into the bottom right corner past Raya to give PSG an early 0-1 lead.

In the 31st minute, another PSG threat saw Joao Neves feeding Dembele again, who managed to shoot under pressure. Raya parried it, and the rebound fell to Doue, but the Arsenal keeper made a brilliant save.

Despite the high press from both teams making build-up play difficult, Arsenal nearly equalized in stoppage time of the first half. Odegaard’s brilliant through ball found Martinelli, who faced Donnarumma one-on-one, but the PSG keeper produced a stunning save to preserve the lead.

Second Half Drama and Disallowed Goal

Arsenal started the second half with renewed energy. Within minutes, a foul on the edge of the box gave them a dangerous free kick. Declan Rice floated the ball into the box and found Merino, who headed into the net. The Emirates erupted — but VAR stepped in again. After a lengthy review, the goal was disallowed for offside, crushing Arsenal's momentum.

PSG, meanwhile, brought on Barcola to replace the impressive Dembele in the 70th minute, aiming to stretch Arsenal’s tired backline. Despite both teams making multiple substitutions and throwing bodies forward, no further goals came.

In added time, Arsenal pushed hard and earned a corner in the dying seconds. Odegaard was replaced by teenager Ethan Nwaneri just before the final whistle. The last corner kick came to nothing, and the game ended 0-1 in favor of the Parisians.

Arsenal vs PSG Match Stats

First Half:

Possession: Arsenal 40% – 60% PSG
Shots: Arsenal 5 – 6 PSG
Shots on Target: 4 each
Corners: 1 each
Pass Accuracy: Arsenal 80% (122/152), PSG 84% (206/237)

Second Half:

Possession: Arsenal 56% – 44% PSG
Shots: 5 each
Shots on Target: Arsenal 1 – 0 PSG
Corners: Arsenal 2 – 0 PSG
Pass Accuracy: Arsenal 86% (205/239), PSG 84% (166/198)

New Signings and Tactical Shifts

Joao Neves, PSG’s standout signing from Benfica, showcased brilliant ball recovery and transition play throughout the match. Kvaratskhelia also played a crucial role with his assist for the only goal of the match. Dembele, formerly of Barcelona, continues to be PSG’s most dangerous outlet and is now the club's top scorer in Ligue 1 and Europe.

For Arsenal, Myles Lewis-Skelly — a product of their own academy — started in midfield and impressed with composure beyond his years. His rise has been a highlight for Arteta this season.

Mbappe’s Departure and PSG’s New Identity

Since Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid as a free agent, PSG’s system has shifted away from being built around a single talisman. While losing such a world-class player was a blow, the freedom has allowed other stars like Dembele and Neves to step into the spotlight, creating a more fluid and balanced team dynamic.

Second Leg: Everything to Play For

Neither Arsenal nor PSG has ever won the UEFA Champions League, making this semi-final even more meaningful. With PSG heading into the home leg with a 1-0 lead, Arsenal must produce something special in Paris to keep their dream alive. However, judging by tonight’s intensity and tactical discipline, the return leg promises fireworks.